> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mermail.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Forward Outlook to Mermail

> Use Outlook forwarding or inbox rules to send selected messages to a Mermail mailbox.

Outlook supports account-wide forwarding and conditional inbox rules. Use an inbox rule when you want Mermail AI to process only selected messages.

## Prerequisites

* A Mermail mailbox address.
* Access to Outlook settings or rules.
* Administrator approval if your Microsoft 365 organization blocks external forwarding.

## Forward selected messages with a rule

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Outlook rules">
    In new Outlook, Outlook on the web, or Outlook.com, open **Settings** → **Mail** → **Rules**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a rule">
    Click **Add new rule** and enter a clear name such as `Forward support mail to Mermail`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose conditions">
    Add conditions for the recipient address, sender, subject, or another supported field. Add exceptions for sensitive messages when needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the forwarding action">
    Select **Redirect to** when you want the message to retain the original sender, then enter the Mermail address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and test">
    Save the rule and send a new matching message. Confirm that it appears in Mermail.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  A forwarded message appears to come from your Outlook address. A redirected message appears to come from the original sender. Redirecting is usually a better fit for a mailbox workflow because it preserves sender identity.
</Info>

## Forward all messages

In new Outlook or Outlook on the web:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open forwarding settings">
    Open **Settings** → **Mail** → **Forwarding**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable forwarding">
    Turn on **Enable forwarding** and enter the Mermail mailbox address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep an Outlook copy">
    Select **Keep a copy of forwarded messages** if you want the original provider to retain each message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Save the setting and test with a new incoming message.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Outlook.com may place the setting under **Settings** → **Email** → **Forwarding and IMAP**.

<Warning>
  Account-wide forwarding sends all eligible new messages to Mermail. Prefer a rule with explicit conditions when the inbox contains mail that AI should not process.
</Warning>

## Test the setup

Send one message that matches the rule and one that does not. Check the Mermail mailbox and the Outlook junk folder. Confirm that only the intended message reaches Mermail.

## Stop forwarding

* Delete or disable the inbox rule under **Mail** → **Rules**.
* For account-wide forwarding, return to **Mail** → **Forwarding**, disable forwarding, and save.

## Human takeover

If you reply to a forwarded thread directly in Outlook, Mermail treats the entire thread as human-managed and permanently stops AI processing for it.

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                            | What to check                                                                         |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| External forwarding does not work  | Ask your Microsoft 365 administrator whether outbound automatic forwarding is blocked |
| Replies use the wrong sender       | Use **Redirect to** instead of **Forward to**                                         |
| Mailbox storage is full            | Remove old mail; forwarding rules can stop when the mailbox exceeds its limit         |
| The rule affects too many messages | Add conditions or exceptions and test the rule again                                  |

See Microsoft’s current guides for [automatic forwarding](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/mail/turn-automatic-forwarding-on-or-off-in-outlook) and [rule-based forwarding or redirecting](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Outlook/mail/use-rules-to-automatically-forward-messages).